Redwings Horse Sanctuary’s new centre is the third in the UK and provides much-needed space to house the growing number of rescued equines through the winter and beyond.

A charity spokesman said: “The purchase of the former children’s play centre in Aylsham and the creation of a new visitor facility means that more horses, ponies and donkeys can be homed and more people will be able to come along and visit us. The first 100 acres have now been converted into grazing land and we will be busy converting the rest of the 246-acre site over the coming months and years.”

Chief executive Lynn Cutress added: “As well as a café and gift shop, the public can meet, among others, handsome adoption horse Gulliver, our tiny Shetland group known as ‘The Gangsters’, and Amigo, who was rescued emaciated, filthy and covered in sores. Since we acquired the site we have been busy with building work as well as installing miles and miles of fencing and we are so grateful to everyone who has donated to help us get the site to this stage.

“We hope people will pop along for a pre-Christmas visit to say hello. As always, entry to our visitor centres is free, and we welcome dogs on leads too.”

The visitor centre will be open every week from Friday to Monday inclusive, 9.30am to 3.30pm. Schools and other groups are encouraged to visit on the days the centre is closed by prior arrangement. Telephone 01263 732243 or email info@redwings.co.uk for more information or to make a booking.